Richard Edward Drake
Richard was born on January 11, 1941 in Los Angeles, California, the fourth and youngest child of Gene and Stella Drake. He attended parochial schools in the San Gabriel Valley and graduated from Mission High. After his high school graduation, Richard followed in his brothers’ footsteps and joined the military; in his case, the US Army. He spent most of his first two years in service stationed at Fort Greeley in Alaska, known as the army’s northernmost fort. Richard served in the US Army, both active and reserves, for a total of 26 years and was extremely proud of his military service.
Richard earned his AA degree from Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at California State University, Fullerton. After considering other career opportunities compatible with his degree in sociology and minor in history, Richard ultimately decided to become a teacher. His first job was teaching 4th grade, and he loved it! His principal, at the time, became Richard’s mentor and, under his guidance and encouragement, Richard transferred to a local middle school in 1971, teaching history and geography to 7th and 8th graders. He had found his niche! The years he spent at Bernardo Yorba Middle School were very special to him. He enjoyed the camaraderie with other teachers, and teaching and mentoring students. Richard spent a total of 35 years as an educator, teaching history and geography with experience from 2nd grade through college. He took leadership roles in local and county social science associations and became a mentor and master teacher. He spent the last two years working with Orange County Department of Education. During his career, Richard also taught in Scotland (1979) and traveled to China (1986) under the Fulbright Scholarship program.
In his younger years, Richard was an avid cyclist and tennis and volleyball player. He would often bike to work and rode long distance trips to benefit charity. In 1980 he purchased a 1967 Ford F250 Camper Special and 20 years later, he began to enthusiastically restore it; resulting in many happy hours spent at car shows and "cars and coffee" events with his wife, Jan. Richard received multiple trophies for his truck, and was even written up in 2014 in the April issue of Vintage Truck magazine. He was known to often "take his truck to coffee" on Saturday mornings!
In their 28 years together, Richard and Jan enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Richard began to show signs of dementia in 2020 and was officially diagnosed in 2024. Jan cared for him in the home they shared until May 2025, when he moved into a nearby memory care facility. His body succumbed to his illness just a few months later.
Throughout his last year, glimpses of the old Richard would come through with a twinkle in his eye or a quip – he told one caregiver that he was “multi-thinking”! In their hearts, the family will always remember the man he was and feel blessed to have known and loved him.
Richard is survived by his wife, Janet; his daughters, Stacy Drake (Paul Howard) and E.D. Cary (Damon Sevart); stepdaughter, Doreen Woods; and numerous nieces and nephews.
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Richard was one of the instructors at the Sixth U.S. Army Intelligence Training Army Area School at Los Alamitos, CA and I most vividly remember after Iraq attacked Kuwait that he and I and several other instructors sat around in a group discussing the implications of this war for us – and indeed, most all of us were soon to be mobilized/activated for this war effort in one way or another. He was a good man with a fine sense of humor and a very good asset for our school. My condolances to his family and friends.
Richard was my next-door neighbor; I met him and Janet when I moved to the neighborhood 19 years ago. I remember, Janet brought me cherry tomatoes and welcomed me to the neighborhood and Richard with chat with my husband when they were gardening. My memories of Richard over the years are seeing him driving his bike, tending to the garden, chatting with his bestie from around the block or working on his truck. He was active, gentle and it was always fun to talk to him. Over the last few years that I worked from home, we got closer with Richard and Janet and they both became very dear to my heart. Me and my kids love living next door to Richard and Janet and we will forever cherish our memories of him and his gentle smile.
My deepest condolences to Janet and family members.
Richard was my uncle and my friend. He was forever encouraging me to pursue my goals, always supportive and ready to lend a hand, and unfailingly upbeat and optimistic during trying times. He seemed to like nothing more than to see others interested and inspired in their work, hobbies and projects. We spoke of cars and tools and repair and restoration techniques. We spoke of military tactics and strategies, of history and politics and airplanes and travel. But I think his favorite subjects were human nature and personal character, and how one best learned to lead a satisfying life.
Richard enjoyed his railroad trips, air shows, military museums, and meeting up with fellow car enthusiasts, but he rarely spoke of himself or his activities. He seemed to always turn the conversation to whomever he was speaking with. He seemed more interested in other people than in talking about himself.
Richard was a wonderful uncle, always happy when we told him about our schoolwork, our hobbies and things that interested us. His joy of discovery extended to all who entered his orbit. He was an inspiration to me and, I’m certain, to his students. The world would be better, brighter and kinder if there were more people like my Uncle Richard.